Nathan Magyar, raises the 2009 Grand National Dynasty Trophy with Susan by his side!!!!
SUSAN USHER Susan Usher is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and has enjoyed a career surrounded by children. She has been a group home worker, resident manager and administrator of a family homeless shelter in the metro Detroit area. She continued her service career by working for Gymstreet USA and the March of Dimes. She has volunteered with the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, Special Olympics, Ele's Place, and the Jr.Miss Scholarship program. Now she continues her career as an academic mentor with kindergarten students in Ypsilanti. Her twirling career started at the age of 4 in a baton corps similar to the Twirlettes. She moved on to be a competitive twirler and team member. Her coaches include, Marlene Rahe, Cindy Althaus, Fred Miller and Cheryl Wimberly. Her career continued, as she became a member of the then well-known Findlay High School majorettes. (Findlay, Ohio) This majorette line was quite unique as it was comprised of all advanced twirlers, trained all year long, spent on average 15 hours week practicing, competed as a dance twirl , was awarded DMA/USTA State championships, 3rd place at DMA Nationals, and won the Drill Team USA National Majorette line Championship in Los Angeles, CA. In California, where they performed at the L.A. Sports arena in front of 10,000 fans. In Susan's solo career she won USTA/DMA State solo, 2-baton, & 3-baton titles., along with winning the DMA National 2-baton title and 2nd place at NBTA nationals. From High School Susan went on to be the Feature Twirler at Eastern Michigan University that proved to be the most rewarding experience of her career. She left Eastern in 1990 and was awarded the Harold Sponberg Award for the Outstanding Senior Marching Band Member. After college, Susan twirled at Detroit Lions Football games and started teaching in Michigan. This was easy since Susan had been teaching in Ohio since the age of 14 , taught many camps, and traveled to several high schools to work with their majorettes. Her experience was extensive due to her high school days and extends to: flags, rifles, dance lines, drill teams, majorette lines and competitive twirlers. Susan taught the Chelsea Baton Corps for 7 years and the Saline Twirlettes since 1992. She currently is a certified DMA / NBTA teacher/judge. She has judged many local contests, state contests, and at TwirlMania. Susan has worked with college twirlers that attended Univ. of Michigan, Bowling Green, Univ. of Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, MSU, Penn State, West Virginia, Miami University, Grand Valley , Purdue University< Virginia Tech and Western Michigan University. In 2009 , she had two students take the field at her former position at EMU, Bethany Lawson and Jessica Potter. Susan returned to the alumni band as a promise to Bethany. Now two students will follow in her footsetps at EMU in 2011; Conner Potter and Mariah Austin. Colllegiate twirlers that take the field at Univ. of Michigan this season are Stacey Girbach and Nathan Magyar. Haley Williams will be the new feature twirler at Western Michigan Univeristy. Harlie Dale will be the new twirler at Virginia Tech.
Susan is extremely proud of the Twirlettes 13- national team titles , including 3 National Majorette championship, the 2009 Senior Halftime Grand National title as well as being awarded the Beth A. Wilson Artistic Award for Senior and Junior Halftime teams. ( 2nd consecutive year) and in 2011 being awarded the Jr. Hallftime grand national championship. The past 18 years of teaching in Saline has been culminated with this win. In 2009 & 2011 seeing thee teams emotions and tears proved to Susan that you can pass on this passion for twirling and life skills that last a lifetime.
The Twirlettes made headlines in 2005 at they performed at the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Halftime with Mariah Carey, alongside twirling friends , Twirl-M;s. Fox 2 News Morning show featured the Twirlettes in July of 2008 as their special feature called "Zip Trips" The team twirled for local TV, were part of the audience, and 2008 Senior Mary Ciotta was interviewed live about the national team. The Twirlettes have also been invited for the past 6 years to the University of Michigan for basketball hafltime entertainment. Eastern Michigan football, volleyball and basketball performances have also been on the Twirlettes tour for many years.
The Saline Twirlettes perform at many local parades and festivals throughout the year.
Susan now has dedicated her career to teaching youth the sport of baton twirling while she also works for the Ypsilanti Public Schools. She has one son, 9-year old Austin who is an avid OSU BUCKEYE fan . Austin started his football career in the fall of 2009 and continues to build his skills. Austin is an avid sports fan, good student, flag football, baseketball and baseball player. He loves legos, playing with friends, Yugi cards, Majic cards, and Xbox 360. Her husband Jeff is very patient as Susan continues her passion for Twirlng while he enjoys ALL SPORTS, going to football games, his family, and GOLF. The Usher family makes their home in Ypsilanti.
Missy Townsend ( R) and Susan have worked together now for over 14 years working on individual and team routines. They both enjoy creating together and seeing what these talented young people can accomplish.
Missy Townsend and Cliff Gray are regular Guest Twirlette Instructors that you see often in Michigan. Cliff hails from Miamsburg Ohio and Missy is from Franklin, OH. Missy and Susan have been working together for over 10+ years. Cliff, Missy and Susan created the hafltime routines that won the 2009 Sr. Hafltime & the 2011 Jr. Halftime that won the National Title.
Missy, Cliff and Susan have worked together for the last 3 years. This year they created the hallftime team that won the Jr. Grand National title. THey all believe twirling is agreat sport where youth can learn so much. Three heads are better than one! It is amazing to see the youth be inspired and act out the creativity.
New Alliance and Haltime Team- Show Designer Cliff Gray, Ohio
Amie returns to nationals in 2010. She is always asked to help with modeling night- hair and make-up! What she does best~ thank you!
Assistant Coach Amie Branch celebrates a successful recital with Amber Reed. Amber is a 8 year member of the Twirlettes.
AMIE BRANCH
Amie Branch graduated from ChelseaHigh School in 1995. Amie was the Chelsea Marching Band Feature Twirler for three years. She was a competitive twirler for 5 years, and earned titles such as Miss Holiday and Miss Pumpkin Patch. She also earned titles of Michigan State Solo and Strut Champion and placed in the top ten at Nationals for modeling and strut. Amie also competed in Beauty Pageants and was crowned Chelsea Community Fair Queen in 1993. Amie has been the assistant coach of the Chelsea Baton Corps and is currently coaching pom-pons, modeling and baton for the Saline Twirlettes for the past 13 years. In 2008 Amie started a satellite program of the Twirlettes in Grass Lake where her family resides. After much interest the program continues in Grass Lake. Amie resides in Grass Lake with her husband Jeff and 9 year old daughter Lizzie and new son Brady. Lizzie is a member of the Saline Twirlettes , takes classes in Grass Lake and 3rd generation twirler.
Student Teachers
Stacey Girbach takes time out with little sister ERIN!
Nathan Magyar on the 50 at the BIG HOUSE!
Conner Potter 2010 EMU Feature Twirler
STUDENT TEACHERS
Conner Potter Stacey Girbach Nathan Magyar Haley Williams Chrissy Houle Dana Kalem Mariah Austin Amber Reed, Kaylynn Austin, Christine Cauley, and Natalie Haubenstricker- in training*
Advanced Twirlers and KTN members help assist the Saline Twirlettes at classes, camps, clinics, and conducting private lessons. We have found this is a great experience for all involved. The student teachers gain, teaching skills, patience, appreciation, and an investment into the program that made them successful. The students can gain additional training with Twirlettes staff, role models, mentors and someone to admire. Many younger twirlettes travel to see their role models at their respective colleges.
